All car accidents are unsettling. But when a crash leaves you or a loved one with serious injuries, you may find yourself full of questions. How will you pay the bills? What happens if you never make a full recovery? You don’t need to find these answers alone. A Summerlin car accident lawyer can help.
Nevada law allows injured people to pursue financial compensation when someone else’s carelessness causes a car accident. If another party’s negligence harmed you, you could be entitled to money to get your life back on track.
At Sam & Ash Injury Law, we fight for What’s Right. We’re available 24/7 to discuss your case and determine your legal options. The first consultation is free, so there’s nothing to lose. Call or contact us today to speak with an experienced Nevada car accident lawyer.
What Are a Driver’s Legal Duties?
All motorists must operate their vehicles in a careful, lawful manner. A driver is at fault for a car accident when they fail to fulfill their legal responsibilities behind the wheel. When traffic violations or careless choices lead to a car accident, a negligent driver can be held liable through a personal injury claim in Nevada.
Drivers are negligent when they fail to take reasonable steps to prevent harming others and someone gets hurt.
Examples of negligent driving behaviors include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Tailgating
- Failure to yield
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Ignoring right-of-way rules
- Racing
- Hit and run
- Road rage
Drivers also have legal duties after a crash. Here’s what you must do after a car accident in Nevada:
- Stop and provide insurance information to the other driver(s)
- Move your vehicle off the road, if possible
- Render medical aid to anyone injured in the wreck
- Report the accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles unless law enforcement already did
If you don’t need emergency medical help at the scene, see a doctor right away to rule out any undetected injuries. Then, reach out to a car accident attorney at Sam & Ash Injury Law to determine whether you have rights to compensation in Summerlin.
Keep in mind you may not need a lawyer if the crash involved minor property damage. But always consult an attorney if you were involved in a car accident or injury crash with severe damage, injuries, or fatalities..
Car Accident Statistics in Nevada
State crash data show that nearly 1,600 people died on the Nevada roads over a recent four-year period. According to the statistics, the most common contributing factors for these collisions included:
- Impaired driving – 609 accidents
- Lane departures – 535 collisions
- Failure to negotiate an intersection – 477 crashes
- Speeding – 454 wrecks
Later data shows fatalities increased three percent during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the fact there were far fewer cars on the road. The Nevada Office of Traffic Safety also reports car accident deaths recently reached a record high, with 382 lives lost on state roads in a single year.
Causes of Car Accidents in Summerlin, NV
As part of the Las Vegas metro area, Summerlin sees many motor vehicle accidents every year. Most of these crashes can be attributed to driver negligence.
Leading causes of car accidents in Summerlin include:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Tailgating
- Unsafe lane changes
- Illegal turns
- Drowsy driving
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Distracted driving
- Driver inexperience
- Disregarding traffic signals
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Aggressive driving
Other non-driver-related causes of car crashes include defective auto parts, bad weather, or poor road conditions. In these types of cases, other parties may be liable for accident-related injuries, such as automakers or government agencies. Filing a car accident lawsuit against a corporation or local government comes with unique challenges. Don’t hesitate to ask Sam & Ash Injury Law for assistance.
Common Injuries in Car Accidents
Car accident injuries range from mild to catastrophic. While many injuries heal fully, others can lead to lifelong damage and permanent disability. With the costs of U.S. medical care so high, few crash victims can afford to pay their medical bills out of pocket ― nor should they if another party is responsible for their injuries.
Common injuries from car accidents include:
- Deep cuts and lacerations
- Bruising
- Soft tissue injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage
- Whiplash
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury/paralysis
- Facial and dental injuries
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Crush injuries
- Vision or hearing loss
- Nerve damage
- Traumatic amputation
The stakes are high when you’ve suffered a traumatic injury. A skilled car accident lawyer in Summerlin can calculate your losses and place a full and fair value on your claim.
Filing a Car Accident Claim
Filing a car accident claim in Nevada usually begins with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Nevada drivers must purchase liability insurance policies to cover bodily injury and death in any car accidents they cause. If the responsible party is properly insured, your claim will likely start there.
You could also file a claim with your own insurance company if you purchased optional MedPay coverage. MedPay provides money for medical bills regardless of who caused the accident. Comprehensive/collision coverage can help pay to repair or replace your vehicle. If you’re not sure what types of coverage are available to you, contact an insurance representative or an auto accident attorney.
Your insurance company may also be able to help if you were hit by a driver without insurance or by one whose insurance does not cover the total amount of your losses. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) can cover your accident-related costs up to your policy limits.
Here’s what you need to do to file a strong car accident claim:
- Document the accident scene – Take photos or video at the crash site. Include shots of the vehicle damage, your injuries, and any other evidence you think is relevant to the case.
- Gather accident-related documents – Medical records, bills, receipts, vehicle repair estimates, invoices, and income statements can help your lawyer place an accurate value on your case.
- Report the accident to the insurance company – Many policies require that an accident be reported within a specific time to trigger eligibility for coverage. You don’t need to get into details in your first report. Just tell the representative the time, date, and location of the crash.
- Cooperate with the insurer’s investigation – An adjuster will review your claim and request information. It’s wise to hire legal counsel to communicate with the insurer on your behalf to avoid accidentally saying something that jeopardizes your case.
After investigating the accident, the insurance company may make a settlement offer to resolve your claim. They could also deny it. At Sam & Ash Injury Law, our attorneys work aggressively to protect our clients’ interests and recover maximum compensation. If the insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement offer, we’re always prepared to file a lawsuit and go to trial.
Damages You Can Recover from a Car Accident Claim
Compensation, or damages, can cover a wide range of losses after a car accident in Summerlin. Damages can reimburse you for your monetary and non-monetary losses, such as:
- Past, current, and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Costs for home health care and assistive medical equipment
- Home renovations to accommodate permanent disabilities
- Pain and suffering
- Lost enjoyment and quality of life
- Scarring/disfigurement
Surviving family members may also pursue wrongful death compensation from the negligent party in fatal car accidents. If you lost a loved one in a crash, the compassionate lawyers at Sam & Ash Injury Law can help you demand justice and accountability from the responsible party.
Statute of Limitations
Nevada law sets a deadline for people to file car accident claims. The statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury suit. If you fail to file a claim by the time limit, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you forfeit your rights to compensation.
The statute of limitations may be extended in rare cases. For example, the clock won’t start running for minor victims until their 18th birthday. If you have questions about how the statute of limitations applies to your case, talk to a car accident lawyer. You don’t want to miss out on vital compensation due to a missed deadline.
Contact an Experienced Summerlin Car Accident Attorney
If you sustained injuries in a car crash caused by a careless driver or another party, you need someone on your side who cares about your future. You need What’s Right. Contact Sam & Ash Injury Law today for a free consultation with a trusted Summerlin car accident attorney.
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